Candidaemia in polish hospitals - a multicentre survey.

Significant changes in the frequency of candidaemia and the distribution of causative species have been noted worldwide in the last two decades. In this study, we present the results of the first multicentre survey of fungaemia in Polish hospitals. A total of 302 candidaemia episodes in 294 patients were identified in 20 hospitals during a 2-year period. The highest number of infections was found in intensive care (30.8%) and surgical (29.5%) units, followed by haematological (15.9%), 'others' (19.2%) and neonatological (4.6%) units. Candida albicans was isolated from 50.96% of episodes; its prevalence was higher in intensive care unit and neonatology (61.22% and 73.33%, respectively), and significantly lower in haematology (22%; P < 0.001). The frequency of C. krusei and C. tropicalis was significantly higher (24% and 18%) in haematology (P < 0.02); whereas, the distribution of C. glabrata (14.1%) and C. parapsilosis (13.1%) did not possess statistically significant differences between compared departments. Obtained data indicates that species distribution of Candida blood isolates in Polish hospitals reflects worldwide trends, particularly a decrease in the prevalence of infections due to C. albicans.

Emergency contraception - A review.

Emergency contraception (EC), or postcoital contraception, is a therapy aimed at preventing unintended pregnancy after an act of unprotected or under-protected sexual intercourse. Options include both emergency contraceptive pills (most commonly containing levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate) and insertion of an intrauterine device. The aim of this paper is to summarize current evidence surrounding the use of emergency contraceptives and to present an evidence-based approach to EC provision. Emergency contraception is a safe and effective option in preventing unwanted pregnancy, irrespective of age, weight, or breastfeeding status. Efforts should be made to increase their availability, as well as knowledge of these methods, both among patients and healthcare providers.

[Effect of bovine serum albumin and restriction enzyme on quality of DNA profile of tissues extracted from paraffin blocks and histological slides]. / Wplyw stosowania albuminy wolowej i enzymu restrykcyjnego na jakosc profili DNA tkanek wyizolowanych z bloczków parafinowych i z preparatów histologicznych.

This paper reports the possibility of DNA profiling obtained from fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues or histological slides. The influence of using bovine serum albumin and restriction enzyme Hinfl on quality of DNA was analysed. The usability of those chemicals was estimated by examination of amplification results locus VWA, and multiplex PCR with the use commercial kit AmpFlSTR Identifiler (including 15 loci + amelogenine locus) and AmpFlSTR SEfiler kit (including 11 loci + amelogenine locus) Applied Biosystems. PCR products of VWA locus were separated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels and visualized by silver staining. The products of loci of AmpFlSTR Identifiler and AmpFlSTR SEfiler were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on an ABI Prism 310 sequencer. Results achieved with and without using bovine serum albumin and restriction enzyme Hinfl were compared and positive influence of those substances on DNA quality was demonstrated. Obtained results of purification DNA with the use of restriction enzyme were verified in paternity testing case.

[Determination of polymorphic DNA sequences STR-PCR in decomposed human tissues]. / Okreslanie polimorficznych sekwencji DNA typu STR-PCR w rozlozonych tkankach ludzkich.

This paper reports the possibility of DNA profiling obtained from soft tissues influenced by the decomposition process: heart, kidney, liver collected during autopsy. As a control DNA, profile from blood was determined. DNA was extracted by the phenol-chloroform method. Amplification was performed with the use of the GenePrintSTR Multiplex (CSF1PO, TPOX, TH01) system, Promega and AmpF[symbol: see text]STR Identifier, Applied Biosystems. PCR products of the CTT system were separated by electrophoresis on denaturing polyacrylamide gels and visualized by silver staining. The 16 loci of AmpF[symbol: see text]STR Identifier products were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on an ABI PRISM 310 sequencer. The results from both methods were compared. Electrophoresis of the CTT products showed clear results for DNA extracted from blood and decomposed tissues, particularly from the heart and kidney. The capillary electrophoresis method gave a positive signal for all 16 loci of AmpF[symbol: see text]STR Identifier for DNA extracted from heart, kidney and blood. Worse results similar to the manual method were obtained for DNA extracted from the liver. The soft tissues, also decomposed by putrefaction can be a useful source of genomic DNA in personal identification and paternity testing.